Indicating device por electrolytic cells



F. 6. WHEELER.

INDICATING DEVJCE FOR ELECTROLYTIC CELLS. APPLICATION FILED MAY 22. 1916.

1L 9 3 1L gALQQ, Patented Aug. 5, 1919.

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F. G. WHEELER. INDICATING DEVICE FOR ELECTROLYTIC ems; APPLICATION FVILED MAY22. 1916.

1,312,494 Patenfed'Aug. 5,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

attmm a WTTED lATES PATENT @FFTQE.

FRANK G. WHEELER, '0 .APPLETON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T0 BLEACH PROCESS COMPANY, OF APPLETON, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

INDICATING DEVICE FOR, ELECTROLYTIC CELLS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 5, 1919.

Application filed May 22, 1916. Serial No. 99,093.

which is not liable to derangement from mechanical or other causes. The indicator is chiefly used in connection with the individual cells of a series-connected circuit.

My indicating device depends for its operation upon the fact that the potential of the electrolyte in either compartment of an electrolytic cell is the same as that of the electrode with which it is in contact, the potential of the anolyte for'example being the same as that of the anode. I provide a relatively high resistance circuit in shuntbetween the anode electrolyte (anolyte) and the cathode, inserting in said circuit a lamp or other indicating device or mechanism having a resistance and voltage adaptable to that of the individual cell. The contact with the electrolyte is established at the level which it is desired to maintain, with the result that in case the level of the electrolyte falls below this point the circuit is interrupted and the lamp extinguished. By the use of this device a large number of cells can be controlled by a single operator, who, in case a lamp is extinguished, will introduce the brine or other electrolyte into the cell in question or adjustthe feed thereof to reestablish and maintain the circuit through the lamp.

One simple illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical section of a portion of an electrolytic cell havng my device applied thereto; and- Fig. 2

scribed in my Patent No. 1,236,025, patented August 7, 1917, above referred to. 1 represents the external cell-casing. 5 is a rod which may be of carbon, graphite, platinum or any other material unaffected by the electrolyte. this rod being preferably vertically adjustable and so positioned that its lower end contacts properly 'with the anolyte at the normal working level 6. At its upper end the rod 5 contacts with one terminal of a low-voltage electric lamp 7, the other terminal of which is connected by a lead 8 to the cathode 2.

As will be readily understood the lamp, the voltage of which corresponds substantially to the normal operating voltage of a single cell, will remain lighted so long as the electrolyte does not fall materially below the predetermined level; and its extinguishment or even dimming through imperfect contact between the rod 5 and the electrolyte, aliords an instant indication with respect to a drop in level of the electrolyte. Furthermore. the lamp is serviceable to some degree as an indication of the voltage of each particular cell, inasmuch as it tends always to burn more brightly with increasing potential dif ference across the cell.

My invention is not limited to the use of a lamp as an indicator in the relation above described, since it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that other indicating devices might be employed; as for example a bell included in a relay circuit and arranged to ring in case of interruption of the direct circuit by a fall in level of the electrolyte. Such an arrangement is shown at the left hand of Fig. 2, in which the circuit between the electrodes 2 and 5 includes a relay magnet 10, whose armature is normally held against stop 12. Should the level of the elec trolyte fall unduly, the magnet is deenergized and the armature is retracted by spring 13 against stop 14, thereby closing a local circuit including a battery15 and bell 16. The lamp is however preferred as affording the most positive and direct indication of the conditions within the cell.

Obviously, the shunt connection may extend between the anode and the catholyte in case an indication of the level of the latter is desired.

I claim 1. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with the anode, cathode and electrolyte, of

an additional electrode extending to the normal level of the electrolyte, a shunt circuit including one electrode,'the electrolyte and the additional electrode, and a device in said shunt circuit for indicating an interruption thereof.

'2. In a series-connected group of electrolytic cells,-the combination with the anode, cathode and electrolyte of an individual cell, of an additional electrode extending to the normal level of the electrolyte, a shunt circuit extending between one electrode and the electrolyte in contact with an electrode of opposite polarity, and a device in said shunt circuit for indicating an interruption thereof. 1

3. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with the anode, cathode and electrolyte, of an additional electrode extending to the normal level of the electrolyte, a shunt circuit including one electrode, the electrolyte and the additional electrode, and a lamp-in said circuit operating at a voltage corresponding to the potential difl'erence between the electrodes.

4. In a series-connected group of electro lytic cells, the combination with the anode,

cathode and electrolyte of an individual cell,

level of the fluid and adapted to constitute another element when said fluid is in contact therewith, an energized circuit between said electrode and one of said other elements, and an indicator in said circuit, whereby the presence of an abnormal condition in the system will be indicated.

6. In a contents indicator, a receptacle having positive and negative electrodes, and an electrolytic solution constituting an energizing means, another electrode cooperating with one of said first-mentioned electrodes and with the solution constituting energizing means and projecting below the level of the solution such a distance that when the level lowers sufliciently the electrical connection between the last mentioned electrodes will be broken, and conductive means connecting said last-mentioned electrodesand normally forming with said solution a circuit. J

7. In a contents indicator, a receptacle, a fluid characterized by conductivity, a. positive element, a negative element, and an electrode of a character opposite to one of the elements and adapted to consitute another element when said fluid .is in contact therewith, an energized circuit between said elec- ,trode and one only of the said other elements, and an indicator 1n said circuit, whereby the presence of an abnormal condi" tion in the system will be indicated.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

:FRANK G. WHEELER. Witnesses:

R. E. CARNoRoss, MABEL SIBLEY. 

